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'Ben had the heart of a guardian': Thousands pay tribute to fallen Maine State Police detective

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Updated: 10:45 PM EDT Apr 9, 2019

'Ben had the heart of a guardian': Thousands pay tribute to fallen Maine State Police detective

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Updated: 10:45 PM EDT Apr 9, 2019

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CEREMONY AND JOINS US NOW áLIVEá OUTSIDE THE CROSS INSURANE ARENA. THEE WASN'T A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE WHEN DETECTIVE CAMPBEL'S WIDOW - HILLRY- BRAVELY GOT UP ON STAGE - TO TELL THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SITTING BEFORE HER...THAT HER HUSBAND WAS HER THE MOMENT SHE MET HIM.. SHE THANKED ALL OF THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO TRIED TO SAVE HIS LIFE. AFTER A FLYING WHEEL FROM A LOGGNG TRUCK STRUCK HIM LAST WEDNSDAY WHILE HE HAD STPPED TO HELP A DRIVER WHOSE CAR HAD SPUN OUT ON THE SLICK HIGHWAY. WE HEARD ABOUT HIS INFECTIOUS SMILE...HIS POSITIV CAN-DO ATTITUDE.. THE CHIEF OF THE MAINE STAE POLCE SAYING CAMPBELL'S VERY CORE WA A CORNERSTONE OF INTEGRITY A FOUNDATION OF SELFLESS SERVICE AND SACRIFICE.. <> "AT HIS CENTER, AT HIS CENTER THE PART THAT MADE HIM SPECIA, BEN HAD HEART OF A GUARDIAN." <> "I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU WITH EVERY PIECE OF MY BEING. I PROMISE YOU I'LL DO EVERYTHIN IN MY POWER TO RAISE OWN SON AS WE PLANNED." POLICE ASSURING CAMPBELL' WIDOW THAT SHE AND 6 MONTH OLD, EVERETT, WILL NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING....THEY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR THEM. AN INCREDIBLY MOVING AND SAD

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'Ben had the heart of a guardian': Thousands pay tribute to fallen Maine State Police detective

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Updated: 10:45 PM EDT Apr 9, 2019

Law enforcement officers from across the country paid tribute Tuesday to fallen Maine State Police Detective Ben Campbell.Three thousand-thousand mourners celebrated his life at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.Campbell, 31, was killed Wednesday when he was struck by a wheel that fell off a tractor-trailer after he got out of his cruiser to help a driver who spun out in snowy conditions on I-95 in Hampden.Campbell was remembered Tuesday for ahis friendly smile and service to others."What does it take to be a Maine trooper? If there was a recipe, Ben Campbell had all of the key ingredients," Maine State Police Col. John Cote said.Cote held back tears as he remembered Campbell."Together we will get through this. We will, but we will never be the same," Cote said.Campbell's wife, Hilary, tearfully addressed her husband during the service at the Cross Insurance Arena, saying, "I love you with every piece of my being.""If there is anything I can say, it would be for all of you to slow down. To take life in. Life gets crazy. Small things become larger than they should and get more attention than they should. Don't waste your time on them," Campbell said.She said she'll make sure the couple's 6-month-old son grows up knowing how selfless his dad was.A procession brought Campbell's body from a funeral home in South Portland to the arena. Hundreds of members of law enforcement lined the street to salute Campbell as the procession arrived.Representatives from at least 18 other state police and highway patrol agencies attended the service, along with Gov. Janet Mills.After the service, Campbell's family was presented with an American flag and there was a 21-gun salute to honor Campbell.Campbell grew up in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He would have turned 32 Monday.In addition to his wife, Campbell leaves behind his 6-month-old son, Everett. His remains will be brought back to Millinocket after the service.Maine State Police have created a fund to help Campbell's wife and young son.Donations can be sent to Detective Benjamin Campbell Fund, Bangor Savings Bank, P.O Box. 454, Skowhegan, ME, 04976.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

PORTLAND, Maine —

Law enforcement officers from across the country paid tribute Tuesday to fallen Maine State Police Detective Ben Campbell.

Three thousand-thousand mourners celebrated his life at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.

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Campbell, 31, was killed Wednesday when he was struck by a wheel that fell off a tractor-trailer after he got out of his cruiser to help a driver who spun out in snowy conditions on I-95 in Hampden.

Campbell was remembered Tuesday for ahis friendly smile and service to others.

"What does it take to be a Maine trooper? If there was a recipe, Ben Campbell had all of the key ingredients," Maine State Police Col. John Cote said.

Cote held back tears as he remembered Campbell.

"Together we will get through this. We will, but we will never be the same," Cote said.

Campbell's wife, Hilary, tearfully addressed her husband during the service at the Cross Insurance Arena, saying, "I love you with every piece of my being."

"If there is anything I can say, it would be for all of you to slow down. To take life in. Life gets crazy. Small things become larger than they should and get more attention than they should. Don't waste your time on them," Campbell said.

She said she'll make sure the couple's 6-month-old son grows up knowing how selfless his dad was.

A procession brought Campbell's body from a funeral home in South Portland to the arena. Hundreds of members of law enforcement lined the street to salute Campbell as the procession arrived.

Representatives from at least 18 other state police and highway patrol agencies attended the service, along with Gov. Janet Mills.

After the service, Campbell's family was presented with an American flag and there was a 21-gun salute to honor Campbell.

Campbell grew up in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He would have turned 32 Monday.

In addition to his wife, Campbell leaves behind his 6-month-old son, Everett. His remains will be brought back to Millinocket after the service.

Maine State Police have created a fund to help Campbell's wife and young son.